Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky has issued a one-week ultimatum to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, demanding the removal of Belarus' air defense radar systems and communication relay equipment near the Ukrainian border. Zelensky warned that if Minsk fails to comply, Ukraine would take military action against the installations.
The statement comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries following a deadly attack on a bus carrying a Belarusian youth soccer team in Russia's Bryansk Region. According to Belarusian officials, the strike injured six children and killed the wife of a school soccer coach accompanying the team to a sports event. Minsk has accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack, while Kiev has denied any involvement.
Earlier this week, Lukashenko condemned what he described as repeated provocations aimed at drawing Belarus into the conflict. He warned that anyone attempting to involve the country in the war "will have to pay dearly" and called on Ukraine to explain the bus attack and other incidents.
Speaking at a press conference in Kiev on Friday, Zelensky dismissed Belarus' assurances that it has no hostile intentions. He argued that Minsk should demonstrate its commitment to peace by dismantling air defense systems and relay transmitters positioned along the border.
"I think one week would be enough for him to accomplish this," Zelensky said. "If he does not do it, we will."
Zelensky also hinted at possible action against Belarus' oil refining sector, claiming the country remains an important supplier of petroleum products to Russia. He suggested that Lukashenko has the ability to halt such supplies if he chooses.
Belarus, one of Russia's closest allies, has avoided direct participation in the conflict since 2022 while repeatedly calling for negotiations between Moscow and Kiev. Minsk has also offered to facilitate peace talks. In September 2025, Lukashenko proposed a personal meeting with Zelensky to discuss possible compromises, but the offer was declined. Two months later, Belarus released 31 Ukrainian detainees as a goodwill gesture following requests from Kiev and US President Donald Trump.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian officials have increasingly warned of what they describe as a growing military threat from Belarus. Earlier this year, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said it had identified around 500 potential military and logistical targets inside Belarus if hostilities were to escalate.